Chastity Bono, daughter of Cher and
Sonny Bono, is undergoing a sex change operation to become a man.
“Yes, It's true,” a Bono
spokesperson confirmed. “Chaz, after many years of consideration,
has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity. He is
proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that
has already been shown by his loved ones. It is Chaz's hope that his
choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public
regarding this issue, just as his 'coming out' did nearly 20 years
ago.”
The spokesperson also asked for the
media to respect Chaz's privacy: “We ask that the media respect
Chaz's privacy during this long process as he will not be doing any
interviews at this time.”
The forty-year-old entertainer and
respected gay rights activist came out at the age of 18 to her mother
who reportedly was troubled at first with the news. But it would be
another eight years before she announced being a lesbian to the world
in an interview with gay monthly The
Advocate.
In congratulating Chaz, the Gay &
Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) called the announcement
an “important step.”
“Chaz Bono's decision to live his
life authentically represents an important step forward, both for him
personally and for all who are committed to advancing discussions
about fairness and equality for transgender people,” said GLAAD
President Neil G. Giuliano. “Coming out as transgender is an
extremely personal decision and one that is never made lightly. We
look forward to hearing Chaz's story in his own words in the future.”